Dating can be unpredictable in fun and exciting ways. Of course, there’s an equal chance it can be painfully predictable and seem like a waste of time. But, if love’s what you’re looking for, dating is a necessary evil. As matchmakers, we arrive at the office on Monday morning in anticipation of hearing our client’s dating stories from the weekend. How many matches did we make?!

An important distinction to point out - when we hear these romantic recaps no two people have the same recount of the date. It’s critical to know we are each the center of our own world, so our interactions and perceptions are skewed - especially when we’re dating. There are; however, a few general personality types that rear their ugly heads quite frequently on a first date making the experience a disappointing start. Instead of quietly suffering through a bad first date with these difficult types, the Kelleher matchmaking team has a few pointers for making the most of the interaction and hopefully turning the experience around.

If we eliminate the ego’s race for wealth, fame, and fortune and drill down to our core desires as human beings, we all want the same things - To feel joy, love, and inclusion. As matchmakers, one of the most important elements of our job is to help you get out of your own way so you can realize those things.

The Law of Attraction can be your biggest friend or foe. It depends on where you stand on the idea that you are a powerful creator whose thoughts influence your reality. Many reject the idea that they control their destiny and discount the Law of Attraction as hokey. But, it's as real as the Law of Gravity.

We get that it’s a big responsibility to accept the notion and quite another to put it into practice. To help you dive in, the Kelleher International matchmakers have assembled the easiest, direct path to attaining what your desire.

All women want romance, unfortunately most men think it’s a lot of work to deliver. Lucky for you, the Kelleher International matchmaking team knows a few tricks to make you look like Prince Charming without the headache or complicated theatrics of a full-blown surprise getaway. You can save that for a future anniversary.

Men, behold your short and sweet no-nonsense guide to romance.

Remember these four things and you’re well on your way to sweeping her off her feet.

This week at Kelleher International, we’re celebrating two of our veteran matchmakers. Pamela Nolen and Nilda Renteria have been leading the charge in our Dallas office for ten years. We asked these matchmaking mavens to reflect on the importance of their role as matchmakers and to share some basic do’s and don’ts to get the most out of your next dating experience.

As the years go by, we learn the art of taking things slow and savoring the waiting. Of course, we’ll still take the whirlwind and sparks of a summertime romance any day. We sat down with Kelleher International matchmaker, Sonya Robinson to get her take on love, no matter the season, and what you can do to have a summer that sizzles.

Open hearts and open minds are the holy grail of matchmaking. Of course, fostering those two qualities takes time and mindful effort. But together, the two can promote blissful connections and make our job as matchmakers fruitful and rewarding.

We’ve all given and received the sage advice, “let go.” Whether it’s a job, habit, idea, or relationship, it’s safe to say that guidance is easier to give than it is to receive. The idea of letting go is light and free and hopeful, but the act of actually doing it can be daunting and painful on a number of levels. Letting go is hard work which is why so many people prefer to stay stuck.

Kelleher International matchmaker, Doreen Justice is no stranger to hard work and letting go.

Let’s be honest. None of us know how the story ends, yet we spend so much of our lives speculating and trying to control the path. Inevitably we feel quite certain we indeed know “exactly how this is going to go.” It’s part of the human condition.

And there’s no area of life where we do this more than in romantic love.

Even for the most put together person killing it in business, finding footing in love can feel like navigating treacherous terrain. Some days you feel powerful and hopeful and ready to embrace the world. You put yourself out there, smile, engage, and stay open to the possibilities. Some days you wake up, look over at the pillow next to you with a tender ache to have a soulful connection with someone and then spend the rest of the day fighting the Eeyore effect. The uncertainty can be overwhelming. We get it.

So, what gives? You might be wondering.

What can you do to set yourself up for success in love and matchmaking?

“Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay.” -Maya Angelou

Joining a matchmaking firm requires some degree of vulnerability. After all, you’re stripping back the layers of yourself and sharing those intimate details and desires with a team of “strangers” who will help you find true love. We get it; it’s a tall order, but the payout is huge. If you’re flirting with the idea of being matched, consider the following advice from Kelleher International Executive Matchmaker, Nahla Grafer, to help you have fun and relax during the process.

Whether you are a new client flying off to Paris for your first match or have been happily married for more than twenty years, Kelleher International wants to be your resource to make your journey of love wildly fulfilling, exciting, dynamic, and deeply passionate.

We’ll talk about strategies for dating success, navigating relationship land mines, and the mindset it takes to find love and make it blossom. We will put current events in the context of seeking love and even give you a little window into the match making business and how a centuries-old tradition continues to evolve in our modern world. The “right one” is out there for you, so check back weekly for updates or follow us on Twitter to make the most of our partnership in your future.